How the Following Environmental and Community Factors Could Potentially Influence HCAHPS Scores Cultural dynamics

The comprehension of patient’s perspective is crucial to providing patient-centered care. Patient attributes like language preference, ethnicity, and race determines their view of the accessed care (Herrin,  Mockaitis, & Hines, 2018).  Taking the demographic profile of the patient population into consideration is necessary to facilitate effective communication between healthcare providers and patients. Therefore, cultural competence enhances effective communication with patients from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, cultural competence ensures that healthcare workers educate patients in a language they understand and ensures that patients understand exactly what they are told. The resultant effect is improved patient satisfaction and reduced rates of readmission after discharge. Therefore, culture influences HCAHPS Scores.

Educational dynamics

Various factors influence the effectiveness of patient’s education. According to Murdock & Griffin (2013), patient education influences their satisfaction levels.  Patient who are offered relevant information and at a level they can comprehend boost their satisfaction level with the quality of care offered. Additionally, well-informed patients trust their healthcare providers and are satisfied with care delivery. Thus, patient education influences HCAHPS scores because it impacts hospital reimbursements, patient care, and satisfaction.

 Socioeconomic dynamics

 A patient’s socioeconomic status determines their perceived value of accessed care. According to Arpey, Gaglioti, & Rosenbaum (2017), individuals of low socio-economic status are likely to have reduced life expectancy, poor self-reported health, and suffer from multiple chronic conditions than their counterparts. Accordingly, they receive fewer medications and diagnosis tests and have restricted access to healthcare services because of coverage and cost. Therefore, hospitals serving a diverse patient population are likely to have lower rating because of perceived bias in healthcare access.

Potential Short-and-Long Term Financial Impact on the Organization

The Potential Impact on Quality Outcomes

Patient’s satisfaction is an indicator of healthcare quality.  Patient satisfaction determines medical malpractice claims, patient retention, and clinical outcomes. The measure also affects patient-centered, efficient, and timely delivery of the safe and quality care. Therefore, the quality of care accessed by patients determines facility quality outcomes and patient’s satisfaction levels

 Potential Cause of the Chosen Hospital’s HCAHPS Scores

The chosen hospital’s HCAHPS Scores is patient’s satisfaction. According to the survey results, the hospital score on various measures is below the state and national average. Some of the potential causes of the poor score might be attributable to ineffective communication between healthcare workers and patients.  Similarly, the scores might be attributable to patients not receiving healthcare as soon as they want.  The patients might not have understood the explanation offered to them regarding their medications because the education plan does not reflect their learning styles and level of education. The score may also be as a result of the patient not receiving adequate information on what to do after their discharge. As a result, they do not understand their care following discharge. Addressing these areas is necessary to reflect the states and national average.